Random question about stats recording...

[blahblah]

So a friend of mine is looking up pick off records and we got into a small argument about whether or not sometimes pick offs are recorded as "caught stealing". This was in reference to her claiming that Pettite has more than 40 career pickoffs (according to the MLB.com stat page for Pettite). Anyone know?

Elliot

[PaulFolk]

So a friend of mine is looking up pick off records and we got into a small argument about whether or not sometimes pick offs are recorded as "caught stealing". This was in reference to her claiming that Pettite has more than 40 career pickoffs (according to the MLB.com stat page for Pettite). Anyone know?

Elliot

If the pitcher throws out the runner as he's trying to get back to the base he was on, it's a pickoff. If he throws out the runner while he's breaking to the next base, it's a caught stealing.

So, yes, there have probably been quite a few times that Pettitte hung up a runner as he was trying to steal. Those would be ruled as caught stealings.

[blahblah]

Thanks Paul.

Elliot